Fwd: Benton announces departure of Andrew Blau

>>With a mixture of emotions, the Benton Foundation announces today the>departure of Andrew Blau from the Benton Foundation to become the program>director of The John and Mary R. Markle Foundation on October 19. We will>greatly miss Andrew as our friend and trusted colleague at Benton, but look>forward to working with him in his new position at Markle, where we expect>he will make a great impact on the issues and causes of public interest>communications.>>In his six years at Benton, Andrew has helped build a program in>communications policy that has taken on the great issues of our time in>shaping the emerging communications environment in the public interest:>redefining universal service for the digital age; connecting schools and>libraries to the Internet; and envisioning the future of public service>television. Andrew's stellar accomplishments range from his leadership in>the historic Public Interest Summit, organized by Benton in 1994, to his>ever generous counsel for media activists and advocates across the country,>and indeed around the world.>>It has been good news that Markle has recommitted itself to a focus on>communications, following the retirement of Lloyd Morrisett and the>appointment of Zoe Baird as president. But, it is particularly gratifying>that, with its renewed commitment to communications, Markle has reached out>to Andrew, and has thus endorsed the interests and values that have been>expressed in his work with us at Benton.>>I want to assure you that Benton remains committed to continuing and>building on Andrew's work in Communications Policy and Practice. Karen>Menichelli, Benton's Deputy Director, and I will work with CPP staff to>assure continuity in all our ongoing projects.>>I have treasured Andrew's intellectual leadership, professional integrity,>and rare combination of insight and grace. We wish him well in his new>endeavors.>>>Sincerely,>Larry Kirkman>Executive Director>>*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*>>To subscribe to the Benton Communications-Related Headlines,>send email to: listserv@cdinet.com>In the body of the message, type only:>subscribe benton-compolicy YourFirstName YourLastName>>To unsubscribe, send email to:>listserv@cdinet.com>In the body of the message, type only:>signoff benton-compolicy>>If you have any problems with the service, please direct them to>benton@benton.org>